Question Period Note: Kashechewan

• In 2019, Chief Leo Friday, Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs and the previous Minister of Indigenous Services, signed the 2019 Kashechewan Framework Agreement confirming plans to relocate Kashechewan First Nation to higher ground.

• A key step is the transfer of provincial lands to Canada to be designated as reserve lands.

• Officials continue to work with both Kashechewan and Fort Albany First Nations and provincial officials to advance the Addition to Reserve.

If pressed on COVID-19 support for the outbreak in Kashechewan
• Since March 2020, ISC has provided over $10.6M to Kashechewan First Nation to support its COVID-19 response efforts, including $1.7M since June 2021 through the Indigenous Community Support Fund and the Public Health Measures Fund to address Kashechewan’s immediate needs.

• This additional funding has enabled Kashechewan First Nation to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their community and provides targeted support for food supplies, transport, personal protective equipment, a pandemic response coordinator, quarantine officers, COVID-19 screeners, testing personnel, security, and communications.

If pressed on work done to advance the relocation
• Since the signing the 2019 Framework Agreement, we have been working with the community to undertake a Comprehensive Community Planning process, including a survey of all community residents and an inventory of homes.

• A Project Manager and Road Design Consultant have been engaged to plan the development of an access road to the new community site.

• Work is also underway to engage a Project Manager to lead the planning studies for the development of the new community and detailed cost estimates to support the approval process for funding.

If pressed on Water
• All Canadians should have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

• The Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project was completed in November 2019.

• This has improved the safety of drinking water and the operation of fire hydrants throughout the community.

• We are working closely with the community to continue bringing clean and safe water to their homes.

If pressed on housing
• Between 2015 and 2017, Kashechewan First Nation received more than $49 million for 52 duplexes (104 housing units) to replace flood-damaged homes and reduce overcrowding in the community.

• These homes were built on raised pilings to be more flood-resilient and to facilitate moving them.

• ISC has made more than $4.6M in funding available to Kashechewan First Nation over 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 to use towards addressing the community’s housing needs at their discretion. This includes funding for their new 20-unit housing project.

• ISC continues to work with Kashechewan First nation to support a 5-year Housing Plan to address their housing priorities.

Possible evacuation and On The Land Initiative
• In spring 2020 and 2021, ISC provided support to the First Nation for their on-the-land initiative, whereby families move to their traditional hunting camps on higher ground to avoid possible flooding. The precautionary evacuation of Kashechewan First Nation is managed by Mushkegowuk Council Emergency Management.

• Indigenous Services Canada continues to work very closely with the First Nation, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council, the Province of Ontario and other partners to ensure the health and safety of all community members.

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